43 research outputs found
La collaborazione tra istituzioni scolastiche e territorio per la promozione dell’impegno civico e sociale
No full textThis article presents and discusses the results of a systematic review on the role of schools (from primary to adult education) in enhancing students’ civic engagement through collaboration with community. Based on the analysis of 21 selected studies, the authors inductively identified the main educational practices aimed at improving civic engagement. The results show that these practices are aimed primarily at school-age students, and only to a limited extent to adult students, as well as that they mostly involve the ‘local’ more than the ‘global’ community. Albeit derived from studies conducted with different methods and purposes, the results also allow some general considerations on the definition of civic engagament, the effects of educational practices on students’ civic engagement and the factors that facilitate the effectiveness of such practices.L’articolo presenta e discute come le istituzioni scolastiche, in collaborazione con il territorio, sostengono lo sviluppo di impegno civico e sociale negli studenti e nelle studentesse di scuola primaria, secondaria e di istruzione di base per adulti. A partire dall’analisi di 21 articoli individuati attraverso una revisione sistematica della letteratura internazionale sono state identificate induttivamente le tipologie di pratiche educative prevalenti. I risultati mostrano come tali pratiche si rivolgano primariamente a studenti e studentesse in età scolare, e solo limitatamente agli utenti del sistema di istruzione di base per adulti, e che coinvolgono per lo più la ‘comunità locale’, anziché la ‘comunità allargata’. Inoltre, anche se derivati da studi condotti con metodi e scopi differenti, i risultati permettono alcune considerazioni generali su: la declinazione dell’impegno civico e sociale; gli effetti delle pratiche educative sull’impegno civico e sociale di quanti in esse coinvolti; e gli elementi che possono supportarne la riuscita
Ammonium glycyrrhizinate prevents apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by high glucose in SH-SY5Y cell line and counteracts neuropathic pain in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice
No full textGlycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as liquorice, contains several bioactive compounds
such as flavonoids, sterols, triterpene, and saponins; among which, glycyrrhizic acid, an oleananetype saponin, is the most abundant component in liquorice root. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
is one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus, leading to painful condition as neuropathic
pain. The pathogenetic mechanism of diabetic peripheral neuropathy is very complex, and its
understanding could lead to a more suitable therapeutic strategy. In this work, we analyzed the
effects of ammonium glycyrrhizinate, a derivate salt of glycyrrhizic acid, on an in vitro system,
neuroblastoma cells line SH-SY5Y, and we observed that ammonium glycyrrhizinate was able to
prevent cytotoxic effect and mitochondrial fragmentation after high-glucose administration. In an
in vivo experiment, we found that a short-repeated treatment with ammonium glycyrrhizinate was
able to attenuate neuropathic hyperalgesia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In conclusion,
our results showed that ammonium glycyrrhizinate could ameliorate diabetic peripheral neuropathy,
counteracting both in vitro and in vivo effects induced by high glucose, and might represent a
complementary medicine for the clinical management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy
Prolongation of local pain insensitivity by anesthetic lidocaine loaded pH-TW20 Gly niosomes: effects on nociception in murine models of pain
No full textCurrent drugs treating neuropathic pain fail in up to 40-50% of the patients, because they have limited efficacy
and are associated with dose related unwanted adverse effects [1]. One of the most extensively studied agents
for neuropathic pain in animals and humans is lidocaine, a local anesthetic with a short duration of action [2].
The great interest in lidocaine delivery systems is increased in the last years. The final purpose is to prolong the
effective time of lidocaine and to reduce the frequency of administration. Particularly, pH-sensitive molecules
to niosome formulation represents an effective and promising delivery strategy [3]. pH-sensitive nonionic
surfactant vesicles (niosomes) by polysorbate-20 derivatized by glycine (added as pH sensitive agent), were
developed to deliver Lidocaine (LID). Lidocaine (5%) were chosen into niosome (N[LID]) (TW20-GLY LIDO 5%)
[3]. Experiments to assess the in vivo efficacy of lidocaine loaded pH-TW20 GLY niosomes were carried out in
murine models to evaluate the potential advantages of stimuli responsive nanocarriers, loaded with lidocaine in
pain treatments. The data related to these tests and obtained from lidocaine loaded pH-TW20 Gly niosomes
were compared with those obtained from free lidocaine, in order to highlight the overlap with the data. The
following models of pain were used: formalin test, zymosan-induced hyperalgesia, Tail flick test and sciatic
nerve ligation inducing neuropathic allodynia and hyperalgesia. The subcutaneous administration of N[LID] in
the dorsal surface of mice paw 10 min or 180 min before formalin in a volume of 40 μL/paw and 1h after
zymosan A in a same volume was able to reduce the response to nociceptive stimuli in the formalin test and
hyperalgesia induced by zymosan. The already high effects of free lidocaine were improved in terms of higher
duration of its action over time. The results obtained by Tail flick test confirmed that N[LID] has a longer
analgesic effect than free lidocaine, especially in terms of longer duration of action. Experience to date suggests
that 40 μL/paw s.c. administration of N[LID] significantly reduced allodynia and hyperalgesia produced by sciatic
nerve ligation. Niosome represents an effective and promising delivery strategy, which may greatly increase the
utility of niosomes as a targeted delivery vehicle, which is degraded only in the target area, where the drug will
be released and accumulated. In our opinion, N[LID] should be developed as a new potential drug in the
treatment of pain in humans.
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1. Y.B. Martin, G. Herradón, L. Ezquerra, Curr Pharm Des., 2011, 17, 434.
2. C.P.N. Watson, Progress in Pain Research and Management, 2001, 21, 215.
3. F. Rinaldi, E. Del Favero, V. Rondelli, S. Pieretti, A. Bogni, J. Ponti, F. Rossi, L. Di Marzio, D. Paolino, J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem., 2017,
32, 538
Enhanced antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of ibuprofen encapsulated in niosomal vesicles
No full textThe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug Ibuprofen (α-methyl-4-(2-methylpropyl)-benzeneacetic acid),
is widely used in the treatment of pain, fever and inflammatory diseases. As far as its analgesic actions,
ibuprofen inhibits the production of prostanoids, which mediate peripheral and central pain sensation, reducing
the threshold to stimulation of nociceptors and increasing their terminal membrane excitability [1]. Niosomes,
are unilamellar or multilamellar non-ionic surfactant vesicles. The main characteristic of these vesicles is their
capability of encapsulating both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs; hydrophilic drugs are encapsulated in the core
of vesicles, while lipophilic drugs can be encapsulated into the lipophilic domain of the lipid bilayer [2]. In this
work, we evaluated the analgesic activity of subcutaneous injection (s.c) of ibuprofen loaded TW20Gly
niosomes (N-IBU), in comparison with free ibuprofen (IBU) in acute and chronic pain animal models.
In vivo anti nociceptive activities of Ibuprofen-loaded vesicles were preliminarily tested by performing the
writing and capsaicin screening assays. In writhing test, acetic acid as peripheral pain inducer was utilized.
Analgesic activity was determined by entering the reduction of the number of writhes after acetic acid injection.
In the early tested mice, a statistically significant reduction of writhes was observed only in IBU branch, whereas
in the late tested mice the strongest reduction was observed in N[IBU] treated mice. In capsaicin experiments,
in which mice were injected under the hind paw with capsacin, nociceptive activity was evaluated by measuring
the time spent by mice in licking the injected paw. N-IBU significantly decreased capsaicin-induced paw licking,
while IBU was ineffective. N-IBU also induced the strongest antinociceptive effects in Zymosan-induced
hyperalgesia test. N-IBU increased pain threshold also in a model of neuropathic pain i.e. chronic sciatic nerve
ligation, reducing hypealgesia and allodyia 2h after the treatment up to 4h. In the same conditions IBU did not
gave any significant effect.
We can conclude that the encapsulation of the drug into the niosomes significantly increases IBU analgesic
activity, promoting a long lasting action of this drug. Thus, we propose TW20Gly niosomes as a new and more
effective strategy to vehicle IBU to treat acute and chronic pain conditions.
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1. Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollman BC. Goodman & Gilman’s the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. 12th ed. New York: McGraw-
Hill Medical; 2011.
2. Di Marzio L, Marianecci C, Petrone M, Rinaldi F, Carafa M., Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2011, 82(1), 18
Hybrid Indoor Positioning System for First Responders
No full textIn the last decade, many efforts have been devoted to indoor localization and positioning. In this paper, a hybrid indoor localization system has been developed within the European project REFIRE for emergency situations. The REFIRE solution estimates the user's pose according to a prediction-correction scheme. The user is equipped with a waist-mounted inertial measurement unit and a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader. In the correction phase, the estimation is updated by means of geo-referenced information fetched from passive RFID tags predeployed into the environment. Accurate position correction is obtained through a deep analysis of the RFID system radiation patterns. To this end, extensive experimental trials have been performed to assess the RFID system performance, both in static and dynamic operating conditions. Experimental validation in realistic environments shows the effectiveness of the proposed indoor localization system, even during long-last missions and/or using a limited number of tags
“Glycyrrhizic Acid attenuates the cytotoxicity induced by high glucose in neuroblastoma cell line”
No full textGlycyrrhizic Acid attenuates the cytotoxicity induced by high glucose in neuroblastoma cell lin
Curcumin-loaded Poly (d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) nanovesicles induce antinociceptive effects after local administration in mice
No full textBoth acute and chronic pain are the most widespread medical issue strongly affecting people in terms of health
and quality of life. Unlike acute pain, chronic pain is a pathophysiological state arising from the alteration of the
peripheral and/or central nervous systems. It is frequently accompanied by the onset of hyperalgesia (increased
sensitivity to pain) and allodynia (painful sensation in response to usually innocuous stimuli). Pain is currently
treated with two major groups of analgesic drugs, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and
opioids; their use is associated with important side effects, which include gastrointestinal lesions [1] and
nephrotoxicity [2]; in the case of NSAIDs, respiratory depression, tolerance and physical dependence for opioids
[3]. For this reason, there is growing interest for the identification of alternative therapeutic strategies.
Curcumin (1,7-Bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione) is a yellow polyphenol,
diferuloylmethane, extracted from the rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa)[4]. The therapeutic properties of
curcumin are well known indeed possesses low intrinsic toxicity along with a wide range of pharmacological
activities that include antitumor, anti-amyloid, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities [5]. Antinociceptive
properties of curcumin have also been reported in preclinical studies [6], but its poor bioavaibility limits clinical
use as analgesic. Polymeric nanoparticle-based drug delivery is being increasingly investigated as a delivery
route able to overcome many obstacles associated with the delivery of free drugs. Recently, we investigated
the effects of curcumin-loaded PLGA nanovesicles (PLGA-CUR) administered via intravenous (i.v.) or intrathecal
(i.t.) routes in several experimental models of pain [7]. We found that i.v. or i.t. routes of administration of
PLGA-CUR nanoformulations were effective in reducing the nociception induced by chemical stimuli or after the
ligation of the sciatic nerve in mice [7]. In the present study, putative antinociceptive effects induced by CUR
and PLGA-CUR after local subcutaneous administration was investigated in two animal models of pain i.e. the
formalin test and the hyperalgesia induced by zymosan. We found PLGA-CUR vesicles able to reduce
nociception induced by chemical stimuli, whereas CUR alone induced only a transient but not significant
antinociceptive effects. These results obtained after acute subcutaneous local PLGA-CUR vesicles
administration, further suggest that PLGA-CUR formulation should be developed as a new potential drug in the
treatment of pain in humans.
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1. M. Sinha, L. Gautam, P.K. Shukla et al., Mediators Inflamm., 2013, 258209.
2. M. Musu, G. Finco, R. Antonucci et al., Eur. Rev. Med. Pharmacol. Sci, 2011, 15, 1461.
3. R. Benyamin, A.M. Trescot, S. Datta et al., Pain Physician, 2018, S105.
4. S.C. Gupta, G. Kismali, B.B. Aggarwal, Biofactors, 2013, 39, 2.
5. S. Sharma, S.K. Kulkarni, J.N. Agrewala et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol., 2006, 536, 256.
6. L. Allegri, F. Rosignolo,C. Mio et al., J. Cancer Res. Clin. Oncol. 2018, 144, 285.
7. S. Pieretti, A.P. Ranjan, A. Di Giannuario et al., Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces, 2017, 158, 379
Antinociceptive effects of Curcumin-loaded PLGA vesicles
No full textCurcumin is yellow polyphenol, extracted from the rhizomes of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and used in traditional medicine for many centuries in countries such as India and China (1). Curcumin demonstrated a wide range of pharmacological activities that include antitumor, anti-amyloid, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and analgesia. At present, no data are reported in the literature on the antinociceptive effects induced by curcumin loaded in PLGA vesicles (PLGA-CURC) and we investigated first the effects of PLGA-CURC in acute models of pain after systemic and central administration. Male CD-1 mice (Harlan, Italy) weighing 25-30 g were used for all experiments. The research protocol was authorized by the Italian Ministry of Health, according to Legislative Decree 26/14. Subcutaneous injection of a dilute solution of formalin (1%, 20 μl/paw) into the mice hind paw evokes nociceptive behavioral responses, such as licking, biting the injected paw or both, which are considered indices of nociception (2). The nociceptive response shows a biphasic trend, consisting of an early phase occurring from 0 to 10 min after the formalin injection, due to the direct stimulation of peripheral nociceptors, followed by a late prolonged phase occurring from 15 to 40 min, that reflects the response to inflammatory pain. The total time (s) that the animal spent licking or biting its paw during the formalin-induced early and late phase of nociception was recorded. In the first series of experiments curcumin-vehicle, curcumin, blank-PLGA and curcumin-PLGA (0.045 mg curcumin/mg of nanoparticles, a generous gift of dr. A. Ranjan, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA) were administered i.v. at the dose of 20 mg/kg, in curcumin. In the second series of experiments curcumin-vehicle, curcumin, blank-PLGA and curcumin-PLGA were administered i.t. at doses of 5 and 25 g/mouse, in curcumin. The significance among the groups (P<0.05) was evaluated with ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc comparisons using GraphPad Prism 6.03 software. After i.v. treatment, ANOVA revealed no difference between groups in the early phase of the formalin test. On the contrary, in the late phase of the test i.v. curcumin-PLGA was able to strongly reduced the nociceptive behavior induced by formalin. After i.t. administration at the dose of 5 g/mouse, treatments did not change licking behavior induced by formalin neither in the early nor in the late phase of the test. After i.t. administration at the dose of 25 g/mouse, curcumin-PLGA was able to reduce licking activity - in confront to curcumin-vehicle and blank-PLGA treated animals - both in the early and in the late phase of the test. These data suggest that curcumin-PLGA may be developed as a medicine to treat pain, by warranting further rigorously conducted studies to define the long-term efficacy and safety.
1. P. Anand, S.G. Thomas, A.B. Kunnumakkara, C. Sundaram, K.B. Harikumar, B.Sung, S.T.Tharakan, K. Misra, I.K. Priyadarsini, K.N. Rajasekharan, B.B. Aggarwal, Biochem. Pharmacol. 2008, 76, 1590.
2. M. Colucci, F. Maione, M.C. Bonito, A. Piscopo, A. Di Giannuario, S. Pieretti, Pharmacol Res., 2008, 57, 419
Silicic magmas from the continental Cameroon Volcanic Line (Oku, Bambouto and Ngaoundere): 40Ar-39Ar dates, petrology, Sr-Nd-O isotopes and their petrogenetic significance
No full textThe intraplate Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) straddles the African-South Atlantic continent-ocean boundary and is composed mainly of alkaline basic volcanic rocks. Voluminous silicic volcanics characterize the continental sector of the CVL. We present here new geochemical, isotopic (Sr-Nd-O) and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological data on the main silicic volcanic centres of the Western (Mt. Oku, Sabga and Mt. Bambouto) and Eastern (Ngaoundere plateau) Cameroon Highlands. The silicic volcanism of Mt. Oku, Sabga and Mt. Bambouto occurred between 25 and 15 Ma and is represented by voluminous quartz-normative trachytes and minor rhyolitic ignimbrites. At Mt. Bambouto central volcano about 700 m of silicic volcanics erupted in less than 2.7 million years. These silicic volcanics are associated with slightly to moderately alkaline basalts and minor basanites. In general, onset of the silicic volcanism migrated from NE (Oku: 25 Ma) to SW (Sabga: 23 Ma; Bambouto: 18 Ma; and Mt. Manengouba: 12 Ma). The silicic volcanism of the Ngaoundere plateau (eastern branch of the CVL) is instead dominated by nepheline-normative trachytes which are associated with strongly alkaline basalts and basanitic rocks. These Ne-trachytes are younger (11-9 Ma) than the Q-trachytes of the Western Highlands. The least differentiated silicic volcanics are isotopically similar (87Sr/86Sr 0.51278) to the associated alkaline basalts suggesting differentiation processes without appreciable interaction with crustal materials. Such interactions may, however, have played some role in the genesis of the most evolved silicic volcanics which have 87Sr/86Sr as high as 0.705-0.714. Fractional crystallization is the preferred mechanism for genesis of the silicic melts of both Western and Eastern Highlands, as shown by modeling major and trace element variations. The genesis of the least evolved Q-trachytes from the Western Highlands, starting from slightly to moderately alkaline basalts, is compatible with fractionation of dominantly plagioclase, clinopyroxene and magnetite. Crystal fractionation may have occurred at low pressure and at QFM buffer f(O)(2) conditions. Parental magmas of the Ngaoundere Ne-trachytes are likely instead to have been strongly alkaline basalts which evolved through crystal fractionation at higher P (6-2 kbar) and f(O)(2) (QFM + 2). The migration (25 to 12 Ma) of the silicic volcanism from NE to SW in the continental sector of the CVL is reminiscent of that (31-5 Ma) of the onset of the basic volcanism in the oceanic sector (Principe to Pagalu islands) of the CVL. These ages, and that (11-9 Ma) of the silicic volcanism of the Ngaoundere plateau, indicate that the Cameroon Volcanic Line as a whole may not be easily interpreted as the surface expression of hot-spot magmatism
“The arylpiperazinylalkyl pyridazinone ET1 as a potent antinociceptive agent after oral administration in mice”
No full textThe arylpiperazinylalkyl pyridazinone ET1 as a potent antinociceptive agent after oral administration in mic
